Police are appealing for public assistance after shots were fired at a house in Ganmain, 45km north-west of Wagga Wagga, today.

About 5am (Friday 29 April 2016), the residents of a home on Ford Street, Ganmain discovered two bullet holes in a wall and a fly screen of the property. It is believed the shots were fired overnight.

A man and woman, as well as their four children were at home at the time, but were uninjured.

Police from Wagga Wagga Local Area Command attended and established a crime scene, which was examined by forensic specialists.

Police are appealing for anyone with information on the incident to come forward.

One hundred and nine (109) new police recruits will take their oath of office at an attestation ceremony in Goulburn today (Friday 29 April 2016).

Today’s ceremony will be hosted by NSW Police Force Commissioner Andrew Scipione APM. He will be joined by Reviewing Officer – His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d), Governor of New South Wales – and special guest, Deputy Premier and Minister for Justice and Police, Troy Grant.

The new probationary constables from Class 327 come from diverse backgrounds.

Several of the recruits are from a non-English speaking background, while a number were born overseas in countries including South Korea, Wales, Belgium, Brazil, Lebanon and India.

Six of the probationary constables identify as being from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background.

The youngest probationary constable from this attesting class is 20 years old, while the oldest is aged 51.

For some, it is their first career; others left established professional careers and trades to join the NSW Police Force.

Commissioner Scipione will officially welcome the 80 new policemen and 29 policewomen at today’s attestation ceremony.

“As I look to the future of policing in NSW, I am confident the officers joining our ranks today will bring the vigour, enthusiasm and diversity,” Commissioner Scipione said.

“In return for their dedicated and ethical service, these new officers can expect experiences and memories that make policing more than just a career.

“To all the students attesting today, I extend my best wishes for their policing futures,” Commissioner Scipione said.

The probationary constables from Class 327 will begin work in their local area commands from next Monday (2 May 2016).

They will then complete 12 months’ on-the-job training and study by distance education with Charles Sturt University before they officially graduate with an Associate Degree in Policing Practice, and be confirmed in the rank of constable.

FACTS AND FIGURES ABOUT CLASS 327

• A total of 109 new recruits will be sworn in today.

• The class comprises 80 policemen and 29 policewomen.

• Of the probationary constables who will attest today, 97 were born in Australia and 12 were born overseas. Their countries of origin include the United Kingdom, Wales, Belgium, Brazil, India, Lebanon, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Korea.

• Among those attesting today, six probationary constables identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island background.

• The youngest recruit is aged 20 and the oldest is 51. Other age statistics:

1 is aged 18-20

47 are aged 21-25

27 are aged 26-30

13 are aged 31-35

9 are aged 36-40

A nostalgic rumble echoed through Victorian towns long bypassed from Highway 31 when 235 classic trucks crawled the old Hume.

Trucks dating back to the 1920s were among the 235 vehicles registered for the Crawlin’ the Hume classic truck run from Melbourne to Albury on April 16.

The oldest truck to travel the Victorian section of the old Hume Highway was Brian Smith’s 1923 T Model Ford.

Powerful rigs from the 1970s and 1980s also delighted crowds along the way.

David Connor felt privileged to drive Canny Carrying Co’s 1956 International AS 160 on the run. In February the International took part in the funeral procession of Wangaratta trucking legend, Brian Canny, who had driven the AS 160 on the Hume in the 1950s and 1960s. The International’s restoration was completed early this year and Brian was shown the finished project only a week before he passed away.

Many beautifully restored Internationals took part, including Graham Wright’s 1965 AB 184D with a 1965 McGrath trailer.

Dodges, Fords, Kenworths, Macks, Whites, Peterbilts, Volvos, Mercedes, Atkinsons, Reos, Bedfords, Commers, Chevrolets, Diamond Ts, Austins, Studebakers and Fodens were all represented.

Hundreds of people took the opportunity to see the trucks up-close when they stopped for lunch at Winton Motor Raceway.

The run finished at Albury Racing Club where Arch McLeish’s stories from his days as a transport operator entertained 280 people attending the dinner.

Crawlin’ the Hume was organised by Rob French, Roger Marchetti and Trevor Davis with assistance from volunteers who helped on the day. It will be held again in 2018.

Meanwhile Bruce Gunter and his Haulin’ the Hume committee are organising a similar event between Sydney and Yass on April 1 and 2, 2017.

POETRY•PROSE•PLACE

The next Poetry•Prose•Place workshop facilitated by published poet Lizz Murphy, will be held from 10.30 am-4.00 pm at the Black Swan Gallery, Burley Griffin Way (Stephens Street), Binalong on Sunday, May 1. The workshop includes writing exercises on the theme of ‘place,’ to get you writing or/and improving your skills. Aspiring, new and developing writers all welcome. Cost: $20/$10 concession. Light lunches available (book with Lizz).

ECOPOETRY

A half-day (1.00-4.00 pm) workshop on Ecopoetry will be held in the Yass Community Centre on Sunday May 15 and repeated at the Black Swan Gallery, Binalong on Sunday May 22. Cost: $10/$5 concession.

BOOKINGS

Please contact Lizz Murphy, Coordinator and workshop facilitator on lizzmurphy7@gmail.com or 0428 005641 for more information and to enrol. (Pay on the day.)

Lizz Murphy has published twelve books and is a popular workshop facilitator with over twenty years experience.

Poetry•Prose•Place is supported by Arts NSW’s Country Arts Support Program, a devolved funding program administered by Regional Arts NSW and local Regional Arts Boards on behalf of the NSW Government.